These two examples are extreme but serve to illustrate how the system of competency based assessment allows for a much greater flexibility in course delivery and assessment. Once a Coach has achieved NCAS qualification the qualification is valid for 4 years. To maintain accreditation it is necessary to complete updating activities and achieve a certain number of points over a 4 year period. This ensures that coaches attend some courses to keep them up to date with current trends and developments.

Example 1 - Mary the Experienced Coach

Mary is an experienced pony club coach. She went through Pony Club herself and obtained her “K” certificate. Her children are at the club and she has been helping out as an Instructor for 4 years and now wishes to become NCAS qualified.

After reading the competencies and learning outcomes she would recognize that she could complete all the skills expected in the horse care section

The Coaching Modules contain some new information. Mary would complete the work book at her own pace using the course material provided. This includes a section on sports safety which replaces the necessity of a workplace first aid certificate. (Coaches are still encouraged to have current First Aid qualifications but it is no longer a compulsory requirement.)

Once Mary felt she was skilled in all the competencies required she would arrange to be assessed by a PCAT appointed Assessor. This could be done in her own club on a rally day or at another time and place convenient to both.

Mary has been found competent in all areas and submits her signed worksheets and fees to the PCAT State Coaching Co-Ordinator (Phyliss Pyke) to be checked and then sent to the Australian Coaching Council (ACC). Accreditation is achieved.

Estimated time to obtain NCAS accreditation 6-8 hours

Example 2 - Joe the New Pony Club Parent

Joe is a new Pony Club parent; he has just bought his daughter her first pony and is discovering what he does not know about horses and their care. His club runs an information night for new parents where they have lots of literature and information on display. Joe picks up the Preliminary Coach Syllabus and Coaching notes and discovers it contains a lot of the information he needs.

He works through each of the competencies in the horse care section by observing others, reading the literature and attending some of the theory sessions at his daughter’s club.

He watches his daughter’s sessions at each rally and would like to understand more so he attends some instructor courses.

He decides to work through the riding section of the syllabus so he can help his daughter.

Finally he becomes keen to seek NCAS accreditation as he has helped at the rally on a couple of occasions when the club has been short of Coaches and really enjoyed the experience.

He works through the competencies with help from coaches at his club and when all the learning outcomes have been achieved he applies to be assessed by a PCAT appointed Assessor. This could be done in his own club on a rally day or at another time and place convenient to both.